Curse of Eternity

"A-Amber. What are you doing here?" Alfie tried wiping her tears away as fast as possible.

I... shouldn't tell her that Actaeon's been stalking her...

I don't wanna lie... but I don't want to tell the truth either... so I'll be the one asking the questions.

"What are you doing here? It's clearly a broken portal... no one can use it anymore,"

"You caught me..."

"What are you doing?" I repeated

"That's the bad thing about eternity eh? When you're the only one that remembers this place,"

"What do you mean?"

Alfie stared onto the starry sky with a slight smile, "It was centuries ago... but it feels like it was just yesterday that I was here with everyone. People meet me... people die... but I keep surviving, I'm the only one who stays." Alfie pulled out one of her arrows to stab her arm casually.

Sh-

I can't heal that!

"Are you okay?!" I sprinted up to her, but when she pulled her arrow out... it healed instantly.

How... how did she... do that?

"You're not the only one that has a damn transmutation circle." She smirked bitterly, looking through the former portal.

With this... I bet she can't really die... that's amazing! It's so cool!

"That's so c-"

"Cruel. I can never die... even if I wanted to... endlessly, I wander the world. It's alright though, you grow numb to abandonment. Don't pity me, please. My pride can't take that."

Being left behind by time... must be lonely. I shouldn't make her think about it.

"Where does that lead?" I looked upon the broken portal.

"If only I knew... it was what they were fighting for... maybe I would've done much more if I knew. Maybe I could justify he did," She held the drawing close to her heart despite her words implying what the person did was... unjustifiable.

Was he the one that gave her the transmutation circle? 'I'm sure he meant no harm' that's what I want to say, but I don't believe it. She might be able to tell through my lie and that's riskier than just saying nothing.

"I'm sorry... you had to see me in this state... I am someone you just met," She turned away from me.

"Hey, what are friends for right? We all have our... issues, sometimes it's better to just breakdown now... cause if you wait for it to layer up till it breaks... it might be too much," I sat next to her, recalling myself crying in front of Shin's cell.

Ugh... that was so embarrassing...

"I know that people leave... it's only a matter of time. I hate it every time... I tried to not get attached, but... I just can't help it. It always feels so empty when I'm alone,"

"It feels like there's a void inside you that can't be filled. Everything feels dark... everyone except you become invisible. You fear it... you hate it... but you don't know why letting go of it is so hard... b-but! You'll get over it! It's only a matter of time." I paused for a second, "It has to be," I whispered.

I think I understand her feeling. I don't know how or why... but I do. Somehow, I can relate. Even if you don't want someone to leave... sometimes they don't have a choice.

"You're a good person, Amber. You're strong, physically and mentally. Reminds me of an old friend,"

Strong? I'm a tower that even the weakest of breeze could make me crumble.

"I'm really not..." I whispered underneath my breath.

If only I was stronger. He wouldn't need to save m-

What? What am I talking about? No one's ever saved me because I was weak. No one has ever saved me at all.

That's not good. My mind is starting to play games with me...

"So... what are you doing here? No distracting me, alright?"

"Me and the other two... we have to lea-" I stopped suddenly...

I can't just leave her behind... I'd be no better than all of the others that do.

"We wanted to invite you to come to the capital with us!" I smiled forcefully, trying to not arouse any suspicion, but I'm sure anyone can see through my fake smile...

Misa's gotta teach me the poker face someday! Gosh, darn master of lies...

I'm sure Alfie won't slow us down... hell she might even help more than me! I just hope Shin won't beat me up for this... well I hope I won't get beaten up for anything, but still...

"Oh... t-thanks. I haven't been there since forever!" Alfie got up and stretched.

"C-Cool! Gotta be honest... a part of me thought you'd decline," I chuckled while I tried getting up with my iron wings.

"It's covering your real wings right? You don't have to hide them," She smiled gently making me breathe a sigh of relief and I instantly elbowed my wings to make the iron layer shatter.

As the cold breeze touched the black feathers I felt a gentle tickle as if the wings were actually apart of my body.

"C-Cold" I shivered for a moment remembering the frozen spell's chill.

"Aren't you two similar," She giggled.

"Two?" I asked without thinking.

"No one you should be concerned with," She patted my head, still smiling even though this time... it felt a little forced.

"Even though I'm curious... I won't push it then," I pouted.

By foot, it would take me a couple of hours to go to the capital alone, but...

"How fast can you run?" I asked.

"From your speed at the tournament, a little bit faster than you," She had a prideful smirk on her face.

I... can't talk back... I'm considered extremely slow for my level...

I sighed, "Let's go then,"